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THE ART OF BEING AN ISLAND
Vue du ciel, véritables pierres précieuses, St-Barth surgit des eaux comme un joyau rare. Cette île célébrée des Caraïbes, conjugue sur 21 km2, des offres touristiques diverses et de haute qualité :
• Longues plages de sable blanc, mer turquoise, ciel d’azur et température moyenne de 27° à 30° toute l’année…
• Hôtels luxueux, villas élégantes, constructions discrètes, nichées dans la verdure ou lovées dans une anse paradisiaque
• Restaurants mariant cuisine savante, ludique, et désinvolture caraïbe…
• Les plus beaux voiliers du monde
• Côté shopping, les plus grandes marques de luxe côtoient les créateurs locaux
Un art de vivre où la « French Touch » attire voisins des Amériques et Européens, en quête d’un luxe sans ostentation et d’une sérénité absolue.
Saint-Barthélemy, l’art d’être une île… autrement.
Seen from the sky, St-Barth rises from the water like a rare jewel made of truly precious stones. The most celebrated island in the Caribbean covers but eight square miles yet offers high-quality tourism with surprising diversity:
• Long white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, azure skies, and an average temperature of 80°-86°F all year long…
• Luxury hotels, elegant vil las, discrete construction nestled in the hillsides or opening onto a heavenly bay…
• Restaurants with a blend of international cuisine and Caribbean casualness and fun…
• The most beautiful sailboats in the world
• A shopper’s paradise where top luxury brands mix with local designers…
A lifestyle where the “French touch” attracts guests from the AmeVricas and Europe, who are seeking luxury without ostentation and a sense of absolute serenity.
Saint-Barthélemy, the art of being an island… unlike any other.
THE OF LIVING
P r e s e n t a t i o n of the Island : A small French island of just eight square miles located in the chain of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, in the windward archipelago, Saint Barthélemy enjoys a certain geographical anonymity. A grain of salt when it comes to an atlas, the island is ideally situated between three continents: 5,000 miles from Paris and 1,500 miles from New York and the shores of Latin America. This island of treasures is far from the world’s major routes, and everyone, regardless of class or fortune, arrives aboard a tiny plane or by boat.
Called St Barth for short, the island is protected from mass tourism by its difficult access, and has been able to preserve its unique character and authentic charm that is a result of its unique history.
Stepping back i,n time :
A volcanic island discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, who named it after this brother Bartholomew. Saint Barthélemy was part of the New World and passed from owner to owner, including the chevaliers of Malta and France, before being traded to the King of Sweden, then returned to France in 1878, and administratively attached to Guadeloupe. Yet the course of history did not make things easy for this overseas slice of France: barely 50 years ago, the descendants of French settlers from Normandy and Brittany lived a harsh existence on this volcanic rock where the poor soil was unyielding. Things began to change in 1957 when David Rockefeller arrived and bought three properties on the island. His wealthy American friends, intrigued by the island and falling under its charms, followed, creating a dynasty of rich and celebrated families seeking refuge from the outside world, bringing a sense of luxury in their suitcases. Once here, they fell in love with this little outpost of France and its French lifestyle where fine wine and gastronomy are part of the décor.
Discrete from every angle: the architecture of the island melts into the landscape, none of the buildings are out of scale but represent an alliance of stone and wood, traditional cottages crushed by masses of flowers, red and green roofs, and elegant white villas paint a harmonious "tableau". An island where local traditions and a French
lifestyle are purposely preserved, and where one is welcomed into the romantic, intimate atmosphere of a traditional house - an oasis of tranquility - or aboard a sumptuous yacht or into the tropical gardens of the island’s largest properties for an exceptional "soirée" …
In the evening, it’s time to think about the island’s varied cultural menu: starting with the St-Barth Music Festival in January bringing internationally acclaimed artists to the island for jazz and classical music concerts - and often dance - in the churches of Gustavia and Lorient and on the dock, to the St-Barth Film Festival of Caribbean Cinema in April, the Theatre Festival in May, and the SBJAM Festival of Caribbean Music in July. Adding to the charm of the annual cultural calendar are Fashion Week and the election of Miss St-Barth.
If you are looking for an action-packed vacation, St-Barth is just the place: from deep-sea diving, water skiing, surfing, or wind surfing to hiking along a mountain ridge, a yoga class, or a day of deep-sea fishing. St-Barth offers a challenge and enjoys a spirit of fair play when it comes to sports, especially in terms of the great sailors and crews that come to the island each year.
Sailing, the king of sports in St-Barth. In March, The St-Barth Bucket is reserved for some of the world’s largest and most beautiful sailboats, while the nautical calendar also features the Cata Cup, a ballet of catamarans in the bay of St-Jean, which celebrated its seventh edition in 2014, as well as the New Year’s Eve Parade of sailboats on December 31 ringing in the New Year.The season ends with the n ewest of the Caribbean regattas, Les Voiles de St-Barth every April since 2010, and the West Indies Regatta the first weekend in May, celebrating its seventh anniversary in 2015 with a fleet of traditional wooden boats. And every other year, the Transat AG2R sails from Concarneau (Finistère, France) to the Port of Gustavia.THE OF HAVING FUN
It’s like living in the pages of a glossy magazine. The tropical sun, the sovereign azure seas, cerulean skies crowned with fluffy white clouds, a chaise lounge abandoned under a coconut palm, the cool shade of sea grapes with their large, intertwined roots, steep roads that climb the sides of cliffs… The beauty of Saint-Barthélemy is intrinsic, as the island has tried to preserve its charms, and protect the natural environment of a tropical paradise. Iguanas, land and sea turtles, wild goats, pelicans, dolphins, whales…
The island is a veritable nature sanctuary.
Stroll the streets around the port and discover the world’s biggest names in fashion as well as lovely dresses designed by local St-Barth brands.
In a nutshell, the island is like a playground for the fashionable, the well-heeled, young Lolitas, and elegant nonchalance. In the evening, the locals and the beautiful people share the St-Barth scene, an island that is seductively charming and where sequins and simple linen dresses are equally in style.
In fashion, as in the island’s lifestyle, diversity rules.
From a traditional little place to the highest gastronomy, Saint-Barthélemy is without a doubt the best destination for foodies, and the quality of the restaurants is one of the assets of the island. Every imported ingredient is selected with the most care to support the heritage of fine European cuisine brought by acclaimed chefs: from a culinary tradition based in the catchof-the-day and Caribbean vegetables to fusion cuisine with a mix of Creole and Thai flavors, by way of classic French and Italian recipes, Saint-Barthélemy has a true epicurean culture.
A treat for the taste buds and the eyes!
THE OF TASTE
In Saint-Barthélemy, everyone lives with a sense of harmony without the slightest worry about safety or crime, as the people on this little rock watch out for each other’s security. This is one of the best assets of the island, along with its sense of discretion. Often compared to St-Tropez
- at the days when the chic French lifestyle set the standards - Saint-Barthélemy is everything but pretentious. Those in the know drive a basic car, and don’t wear heels as the cobblestones and beaches are an invitation to wear simple sandals and casual t-shirts.
To say yes in paradise… wouldn’t that be the most beautiful day in your life? Under the tropical sun, confirm your love in the little Garden of Eden that is St-Barthélemy, in the middle of a turquoise sea, a haven of peacefulness with romantic whitesand beaches. Accommodations are exceptional (from hotels to private villas), with fine dining, and the expertise of professionals from beauty to
wellbeing: the island provides an elegant backdrop for the most memorable marriages. Those seeking a religious ceremony, the Catholic, Anglican, and other churches of Saint-Barthélemy are pleased to welcome engaged couples that desire to unite their destinies or renew their vows with the blessing of a local priest.
Beaches of fine sand stretch to infinity, inlets curl at your feet, abrupt cliffs drop into the sea, a majestic blue sky, magical twilight, absolute and eternal quiet, St-Barth is pleasure incarnate. Whether you spend the day playing in the salty sea, or anchor a beautiful motor yacht or sailboat in a crystal-clear bay, when night-time falls, the island provides a wonderful variety of shelter.
For those who love the traditional cottages of St-Barth or a charming boutique hotel, to a star seeking a large private residence or a 5-star hotel with white-glove service… the island responds to everyone’s needs. Saint-Barthélemy opens its door to everyone, without ostentation yet with its own brand of elegance.
THE OF HOSPITALITY
With its natural beauty and the simplicity of its daily lifestyle, one of the top assets of St-Barth is its native population that takes things at an easy pace, with a respectful, serene character. All those who visit the island are struck by the kindness of
the people: attentive, never in a hurry or stressed, they enjoy the day-to-day and share a sense of hospitality that is extremely rare to find anywhere in the western hemisphere today.
For additional information:
Tourism Committee of Saint-BarthélemyQuai du Général De Gaulle 97133 Saint-Barthélemy Tél. : +590 (0)590 27 87 27 [email protected]
FlightsJuliana Airport in Sint Maarten serves as the international hub for flights to the island, with access also possible via Guadeloupe or San Juan, with small planes continuing the connection to Saint Barthélemy, as there are no direct flights. • Coming from Europe:
Travelers from Europe arrive primarily via Sint Maarten or Guadeloupe, on such airlines as Air France, KLM, Corsair, and Air Caraibes.
• Coming from North America:Travelers from Canada and the USA mostly arrive via Sint Maarten, Puerto Rico, or Guadeloupe, on such airlines as American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Air Canada, Air Transat, West Jet, and Jet Blue.
• Flights from other islands:There are flights to Saint-Barthélemy from other islands, but primarily from Sint-Maarten, Saint-Martin, and Guadeloupe. There are also flights from Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Dominica, Saint Thomas, and Sainte Croix, as well as the BVI. But these are primarily charter flights organized by local airlines.
• Coming from other islands by boat: Saint Barthélemy can be reached by boat from neighboring islands, with the crossing via regular ferry service or chartered speedboats.
• The most frequent ferries come from Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.
• Private Charters:These companies handle transfer of visitors between islands. Charters can be organized by air or by sea.
ImmigrationFor citizens of the European Union, Canada, and the United States, a valid passport is sufficient to enter Saint Barth.Citizens of many other countries are required to have a passport as well as a tourist visa specially marked for the “Collectivité de Saint Barthélemy” and issued by the French Embassy or Consulate. It is a good idea to inquire with the nearest French
Embassy to be sure.
Getting aroundCars, scooters, and taxis are the major means of transportation on the island. Tourists can rent a car, quad, or scooter from any of the companies, most of which are located at the airport. The island also has a taxi service with stations at the airport and in Gustavia, and there are companies that provide small buses for groups. It is necessary to be 25 years of age to rent a vehicle. The speed limit varies between 30 and 50 kilometers per hour on the island. Cars drive on the right side of the road and seat belts are obligatory.
Time differenceWhen it is 4pm in Paris it is 10am in Saint Barth in the summer, and 11am in the winter. The time on the island is UTC-4. In relation to Paris, that means -6 hours in the summer and -5 hours in the winter.
ClimateWith its tropical maritime climate, the average annual temperature in Saint Barth is 80°F, with lows of 72°F and highs of 86°F. There are two main seasons: ‣ December to April: the “dry” period; ‣ May to November: the “rainy” period. These variations come from the atmospheric pressure in the Atlantic Ocean. The rains in September and October came from tropical depressions. There is sun almost every day.
TelephoneFrom Europe or US to Saint Barthélemy‣ + 590 590 (+ 6 numbers) for land lines‣ + 590 690 (+ 6 numbers) for cell phonesFrom Saint Barthélemy to international: 00 (Country Code) and number
CurrencyThe official currency is the euro.Cash, credit cards, and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, while bank checks are rarely accepted US dollars are accepted everywhere and are informally considered a second currently on the island. Major French banks are represented on the island and a money exchange office is found in Gustavia.
Territorial Tourism Committee of Saint-BarthélemyQuai du Général de Gaulle, Gustavia
97133 Saint BarthélemyTel.: +590 (0)5 90 27 87 27Fax +590 (0)5 90 27 74 47
